Rich J. Allen, 68 of Spicer, died Monday, July 14, 2014 at Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2014 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Willmar. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment in St. Patricks Cemetery in Birch Coulee Township will take place at a later date. Memorials preferred to the Ridgewater College Ag Department Scholarship Fund. Arrangements are with the Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

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Richard J. Allen was born August 12, 1945, in New Ulm, MN to Frank and Mary Ellen (Regan) Allen, Rich grew up on the family farm in Franklin, MN. Rich was baptized and confirmed at Franklins Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1962 and continued his education at South Dakota State University in Brookings, receiving a degree in Ag Education in 1966.

On December 30, 1967, Rich married Mary Casey in Watertown, SD. They lived in Tintah, Fergus Falls, and Wabasso, where he held high school ag teaching positions. In 1975, they moved to Willmar, and he joined the Ag faculty at what is now Ridgewater College. Rich retired from the Farm Management Program in 1999. Shortly before that, Rich and Mary moved to Lake Florida in Spicer, where they enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. Throughout his life, Rich farmed the home place first with his dad, Frank, and later, with his son, Ryan and son-in-law, Tom. He served as a volunteer fireman, was a member of the Lions Club and was a heck of a donkey-basketball player. Rich was a man of many hobbies: he was a fly fisherman, a postcard collector, an amateur historian, a connoisseur of tuna noodle casserole and a feeder of birds. He also enjoyed corn cob pipes and a fine, cheap cigar. Rich was an avid reader and would read multiple books of various topics at the same time. The librarians in every local county library knew him by name. He likely owed them a book or two. Rich was a friend to many; he was an advocate for young farmers as a teacher, an eager volunteer for a neighbor in need, a supportive advisor for a friend in recovery, a lively storyteller to the random passerby. Rich was a treasured family man; he was an adventurous cook, a caring confidant, a great listener and always made time for a visit. He modeled a life of faith, family and fun.

Rich passed away peacefully on Monday, July 14, 2014 at the age of 68. He is survived by his wife, Mary, his daughter, Megan Allen (Tom Venables) of Savage, son, Ryan (Kristin) of New London and daughter, Tara (Corey) Prachar of Sturgeon Lake; grandchildren, Caitessa and Serena Venables of Savage, Whitney and Wyatt Allen of New London and Paige Prachar of Sturgeon Lake. Rich is also survived by his siblings, Sister Mary Fran Allen of St. Paul, Jane (Mike) Sullivan of Franklin and John (Julie) Allen of Marshall. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Ellen Allen of Franklin.